Indian river inlet bridge (part B): Lessons learned from the design,installation,and operation of the structural health monitoring system

Abstract

A state-of-the-art structural health monitoring system was installed on the new Indian River Inlet Bridge in Delaware. The system has been operational since the opening of the bridge in 2012 and is functioning as designed. The system collects information relating to the global behavior of the bridge, i.e., strain, displacement, acceleration, tilt, chloride ingress, temperature, and wind speed and direction, at various sample rates. The data from the SHM system is being incorporated into the inspection archive for the bridge, and is being used by the owner to manage and maintain this significant infrastructure. Based on experiences to date, this paper presents a number of key lessons learned. These relate to the design and construction, operation, and maintenance of the SHM system. Lessons learned from the owner’s perspective have also been included. The lessons are useful to owners and engineers who are contemplating installing a SHM system and will also serve to advance the state-of-the-art of SHM.